NameCensus.

UK surname

Farry

A surname derived from the medieval French word "ferrier", referring to an iron worker or blacksmith.

In the 1881 census there were 65 people recorded with the Farry surname, ranking it #24,420 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 242, ranked #17,177, up from #24,420 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Llanengan and Boughton. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include County Durham, Manchester and Darlington.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Farry is 378 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 272.3%.

1881 census count

65

Ranked #24,420

Modern count

242

2016, ranked #17,177

Peak year

1861

378 bearers

Map years

7

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Farry had 65 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,420 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016, ranked #17,177.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 378 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Farry surname distribution map

The map shows where the Farry surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Farry surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Farry over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 87 #18,695
1861 historical 378 #6,761
1881 historical 65 #24,420
1891 historical 296 #11,215
1901 historical 107 #21,955
1911 historical 104 #22,209
1997 modern 247 #15,399
1998 modern 253 #15,547
1999 modern 243 #16,094
2000 modern 244 #16,004
2001 modern 234 #16,205
2002 modern 247 #15,941
2003 modern 230 #16,549
2004 modern 245 #15,894
2005 modern 249 #15,679
2006 modern 255 #15,521
2007 modern 259 #15,519
2008 modern 245 #16,295
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 254 #16,458
2012 modern 246 #16,702
2013 modern 239 #17,307
2014 modern 241 #17,338
2015 modern 235 #17,530
2016 modern 242 #17,177

Geography

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Where Farrys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside, Llanengan, Boughton, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to County Durham, Manchester, Darlington and Birmingham. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lanchester (Collierley, Kyo, Billingside, Medomsley, Ebchchester, Benfieldside, Heelyfield, Conside Durham
2 Llanengan Carnarvonshire
3 Boughton Northamptonshire
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Northampton St Giles, Northampton St Sepulchre, Northampton Priory Northamptonshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 County Durham 043 County Durham
2 Manchester 042 Manchester
3 Darlington 013 Darlington
4 County Durham 053 County Durham
5 Birmingham 090 Birmingham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Farry

These lists show first names that appear often with the Farry surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Farry

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Farry, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Farry surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Farry household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Farry is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Farry is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Farry falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Farry is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Irish

This describes the area pattern most associated with Farry, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Farry

The surname Farry has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "faru," meaning a journey or expedition. This suggests that the name may have been initially given as a descriptive nickname to someone who traveled frequently or was known for their expeditions.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Farry can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1194, where it appears as "Fari." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. In the 13th century, the name was also documented in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire as "Fary."

The Farry surname has been associated with various locations in England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire, Huntingdonshire, and Lincolnshire. Some of the earliest recorded place names linked to the surname include Fery, Ferye, and Ferriby, which may have influenced the spelling variations.

Notable historical figures bearing the Farry surname include:

1. John Farry (c. 1540-1599), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Stamford in 1588. 2. William Farry (1658-1723), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "A Treatise on the Sacrament of Baptism." 3. Elizabeth Farry (c. 1670-1745), a renowned artist known for her intricate embroidery work, which adorned several churches and buildings in London. 4. Richard Farry (1787-1861), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a respected maritime author. 5. James Farry (1819-1893), an Irish-born Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales in the late 19th century.

While the Farry surname is not widely known for any specific historical references or appearances in notable manuscripts like the Domesday Book, its long-standing presence in England and its potential connection to the concept of travel and exploration make it a unique and intriguing surname with a rich history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Farry families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Farry surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Durham leads with 24 Farrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.73x.

County Total Index
Durham 24 12.73x
Middlesex 10 1.58x
Yorkshire 7 1.11x
Lancashire 6 0.80x
Norfolk 5 5.13x
Northamptonshire 4 6.71x
Hampshire 3 2.31x
Ayrshire 2 4.22x
Angus 1 1.70x
Lanarkshire 1 0.49x
Midlothian 1 1.18x
Oxfordshire 1 2.55x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Esh in Durham leads with 10 Farrys recorded in 1881 and an index of 729.93x.

Place Total Index
Esh 10 729.93x
Witton Gilbert 9 1216.22x
Richmond 7 714.29x
Kirkdale 6 47.43x
Shoreditch London 6 21.83x
East Dereham 5 406.50x
Pollards Land 4 3076.92x
Wilby 4 4444.44x
Southampton St Mary 3 36.72x
Hammersmith London 2 12.80x
Kilmarnock 2 35.40x
Dalziel 1 45.25x
Dundee 1 4.56x
Islington London 1 1.63x
Kirknewton 1 416.67x
Paddington London 1 4.29x
Thame 1 140.85x
Wingate 1 77.52x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Farry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 4
Annie 2
Elizabeth 2
Jane 2
Margaret 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anne 1
Bridget 1
Catherine 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Elizth. 1
Emma 1
Harriet 1
Liza 1
Maria 1
Rebecca 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Farry surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 8
James 3
Alfred 2
Joseph 2
Matthew 2
Patrick 2
William 2
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Edward 1
Francis 1
Herbert 1
Jeathan 1
Michael 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Sidney 1
Thomas 1
Thos. 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Farry households.

FAQ

Farry surname: questions and answers

How common was the Farry surname in 1881?

In 1881, 65 people were recorded with the Farry surname. That placed it at #24,420 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Farry surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 242 in 2016. That gives Farry a modern rank of #17,177.

What does the Farry surname mean?

A surname derived from the medieval French word "ferrier", referring to an iron worker or blacksmith.

What does the Farry map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Farry bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.